Bourdain’s appreciation for the Japanese culture included more than their food scene (although he especially loved good uni, sea urchin, and duck!). He also practiced the Japanese martial art of jiu-jitsu and even penned a graphic novel about a sushi-chef who, “beheads customers who stir wasabi into their soy sauce.” And during his interview with Maxim, Bourdain was simultaneously getting a tattoo in a style called tebori, which is a traditional stick-and-poke Japanese tattoo method. Don’t miss these other times Anthony Bourdain kept it real.

If you plan on visiting Japan, remember Bourdain’s top things to do in the Tokyo including visiting the Robot Restaurant, eating and drinking at the Izakayas, and dining at a department store food hall.